Cherry-red plasma: Beyond the assumption of hemolysis.

Hemolysis is the most prevalent pre-analytical interfering factor and a major source of error in laboratory analysis. The examination of samples post-centrifugation can provide valuable information regarding pre-analytical interferences. In this unusual case, a patient's plasma specimen was cherry-red after centrifugation, which is most usually indicative of hemolysis. However, subsequent investigations ruled out common hemolysis causes. We eventually determined that the patient's cherry-red plasma was most likely caused by other factors in the patient's medical history, including cancer treatment with PV-10 (rose bengal disodium 10%). We then conducted an interference study to comprehensively assess the effects of PV-10 on various biochemical tests, especially liver function tests and bilirubin levels. The findings indicate that PV-10 has varying effects on different biochemical assays and test results should be examined individually. This report underlines the need for awareness of potential drug interference on laboratory tests for better result interpretation and making clinical decisions.

Exploring the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 with modified vesicular stomatitis virus.

SARS-CoV-2 caused a global pandemic and is now an endemic virus that will require continued antiviral and vaccine development. A possible new treatment modality was recently suggested that would use vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) modified to express the ACE2 receptor. Since the modified VSV expresses the cell surface receptor that is used by the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, the thought is that SARS-CoV-2 virions would bind to the modified VSV and thus be neutralized. Additionally, since SARS-CoV-2 infected cells also express the spike protein, the modified VSV could potentially infect these cells, allowing for its own replication, but also potentially interfering with replication of SARS-CoV-2. This idea has not yet been tested experimentally, but we can investigate the feasibility of this possible treatment theoretically. In this manuscript, we develop a mathematical model of this suggested treatment and explore conditions under which it might be effective. We find that treatment with modified VSV does little to change the SARS-CoV-2 time course except when the treatment is applied at the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 infection at very high doses. In this case, VSV reduces the peak SARS-CoV-2 viral load, but lengthens the duration of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Thus, we find that modified VSV treatment is unlikely to be effective largely because it does not prevent infection of cells by SARS-CoV-2.

Executive functions involved in thought suppression: An attempt to integrate research in two paradigms.

There are two main thought suppression research paradigms: the White Bear and Think/No-Think paradigms. In Think/No-Think research, thought suppression is effective and is considered to be mediated by prepotent response inhibition. Conversely, in White Bear studies, thought suppression is counterproductive and appears to engage resistance to proactive interference. However, findings regarding the involvement of these executive functions in each task are mixed. In the current study, two thought suppression procedures were compared. Using Friedman and Miyake's inhibitory functions model (2004) it was investigated whether the differences between thought suppression tasks can be explained by involvement of different executive functions. The results showed that the suppression phases of both procedures were correlated, but the outcomes of suppression were unrelated. There was no evidence supporting the involvement of the examined executive functions in either thought suppression task. Commonalities and discrepancies of the two tasks are discussed along with their external validity.

CYP303A1 regulates molting and metamorphosis through 20E signaling in Nilaparvata lugens Stål (Hemiptera: Delphacidae).

Cytochrome P450s play a crucial role in the breakdown of external substances and perform important activities in the hormone system of insects. It has been understood that P450s were essential in the metabolism of ecdysteroids. CYP303A1 is a highly conserved CYP in most insects, but its specific physiological functions remain poorly understood in Nilaparvata lugens Stål. In this study, NlCYP303A1 was identified and highly expressed in the pre-molt stages, predominantly in the cuticle-producing tissues. Silencing of NlCYP303A1 caused a lethal phenotype with a molting defect. Moreover, the 20E titers, the expression levels of Halloween genes, and critical genes associated with the 20E signaling pathway in N. lugens nymphs were significantly decreased with the silencing NlCYP303A1. We further performed additional backfilling of 20E to rescue the RNAi effects on NlCYP303A1. The gene expression levels that were previously reduced caused by silencing NlCYP303A1 were significantly elevated. However, the molting defects of nymphs were not effectively improved. The results demonstrated NlCYP303A1 plays a crucial role in the molting and metamorphosis of N. lugens by regulating the 20E signaling pathway and cuticular formation, enhances the understanding of the functional role of CYP 2 clans, and identifies candidate gene for RNAi-based control of N. lugens.

Spin-coating ANF based multilayer symmetric composite films for enhanced electromagnetic interference shielding and thermal management.

The demand for flexible composite films with electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding capabilities is rapidly increasing. Balancing high EMI performance with flexibility and portability has become a critical research focus in practical applications. In this study, an optimized strategy for aramid nanofibers (ANF) films was developed using spin-coating and sol-gel techniques. The resulting film features a smooth surface and excellent mechanical properties. ANF, initially an insulator, was transformed into a conductor through the in-situ polymerization of ion-doped polypyrrole (PPy). Leveraging a multilayer structural strategy, we prepared a symmetric composite film, ANF@PPy-(TA-MXene)-AgNWs-(TA-MXene)-ANF@PPy (PMA), using vacuum-assisted filtration and lamination hot pressing. This film, composed of ANF@PPy (PA) as the matrix, tannic acid (TA) modified MXene, and silver nanowires (AgNWs) as fillers, exhibited multiple shielding mechanisms as electromagnetic wave (EMW) passed through its various layers. This multilayer configuration provides significant flexibility in EMW shielding. Moreover, TA-modified MXene expands the lamellar spacing, enhancing the scattering efficiency of EMWs within the film, and serves as a medium connecting the upper and lower layers. This results in the efficient integration of the multilayer structure, synergistically improving both EMI shielding performance and mechanical properties. When the ratio of PA/MXene/AgNWs was 1:3:1, the film demonstrated optimal properties, including an EMI shielding effectiveness of 70.2 dB, thermal conductivity of 4.62 W/(m•K), and tensile strength of 50.2 MPa. Due to the exceptional EMI shielding and thermal properties of the PMA composite film, it holds great potential for applications in artificial intelligence, wearable heaters, and military equipment.

A red cell membrane-camouflaged nanoreactor for enhanced starvation/chemodynamic/ion interference therapy for breast cancer.

In this study, a multifunctional Cu-doped CaO2 nanoreactor loaded with GOx and camouflaged with a folic acid-modified cell membranewas developed for breast cancer treatment. The as-developed composite nanoreactor showed a synergistic effect on calcium overload to damage mitochondria, thus killing tumor cells to achieve ion interference therapy (IIT). The loaded GOx could deplete glucose to "starve" tumor cells. The H2O2 released by CaO2 decomposition and enzyme catalytic reactions from GOx could not only be highly toxic in the tumor microenvironment but also enhance the efficiency of chemodynamic therapy (CDT) with Cu2+. The red blood cell membranes modified by folic acid achieved a combination of active targeting and passive targeting, thereby enhancing the targeting ability of the as-prepared multifunctional composite nanoreactor and prolonging its retention time at the tumor sites for more than 48 h.

Limitations of Limulus amebocyte lysate test for endotoxin control in raw materials for liposomal nanoformulations.

Aim: To evaluate the applicability of Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay for endotoxin determination in lipid compounding liposomal nanoformulations.Materials & methods: Spiked cholesterol, hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[amino(polyethylene glycol)-2000] (DSPE-PEG 2000) samples with endotoxins, simulating contaminated samples or in-process contamination were analyzed by chromogenic LAL assay.Results: Recovery of spiked endotoxins was achieved from DSPE-PEG 2000 suspended in water, whereas recovery was not achieved from spiked cholesterol and hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine suspended in methanol, and from multilamellar vesicles. Conclusion: Endotoxins, when in contact with organic solvents, no longer react in the LAL assay as they do in aqueous media. This indicates limitations of the LAL assay for endotoxin control in raw materials for liposomal nanoformulations.

[Box: see text].

Icteria interference for 34 clinical chemistry analytes on different analytical platforms: Method or analyzer dependent?

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of increasing bilirubin concentration on 34 commonly measured clinical chemistry analytes on four different analytical platforms. We hypothesized that differences in icteria interference are not only method dependent, but also analyzer dependent. METHODS: Serum pool was prepared using leftover samples after routine laboratory blood testing. Serum pool was then spiked with dissolved bilirubin stock. Measurements were performed on all four locations at the same time. All measurements were done in duplicate. Mean value was calculated as: (value1 + value2)/2. Those values were multiplied by corresponding dilution factors obtained during the preparation of icteric samples. For each icteric sample (Ix), bias against native (I0) sample was calculated as ((value Ix- valueI0)/ valueI0) × 100 %. Bias was calculated with actual average values. Obtained bias values were compared against acceptance criteria according to External quality assurance (EQA) providers. Difference in bilirubin concentration across platforms was tested using Friedman ANOVA. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Data are collected and analyzed in MS Excel 2016 (Microsoft, Redmond, Washington) and MedCalc® Statistical Software version 20.015 (MedCalc Software Ltd, Ostend, Belgium). RESULTS: Many of the tested parameters demonstrated low sensitivity to icterus interference. The highest sensitivity to icterus was observed for triglycerides, cholesterol, and urate. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that while some common icteric interferences were consistent across all tested platforms, others were specific to the analyzer used, even when employing the same analytical methods.

Use of technetium-99m-pyrophosphate single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography in monitoring therapeutic changes of RNA interference therapeutics in patients with hereditary transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: RNA interference therapeutics reduce transthyretin production; however, their effect on hereditary transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CA) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate alterations in technetium-99 m (99mTc)-pyrophosphate (PYP) single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) outcomes in patients receiving patisiran or vutrisiran. METHODS: We retrospectively identified individuals with hereditary ATTR-CA who received patisiran or vutrisiran. First and second 99mTc-PYP SPECT/CT data, including visual grading, planar heart to contralateral lung (H/CL) ratio, and volumetric heart to lung (H/L) ratio were assessed. RESULTS: Eight patients with hereditary ATTR-CA were enrolled. Cohort A included four patients who underwent their first 99mTc-PYP SPECT/CT imaging at the initiation of small interfering RNA (siRNA) treatment, while cohort B comprised four patients who had been receiving siRNA treatment before their first 99mTc-PYP SPECT/CT imaging (median duration 1281 days). Overall, there were numerical reductions in planar H/CL ratio (1.7 ± 0.2 to 1.6 ± 0.1, p = 0.050) and a significant improvement in volumetric H/L ratio (4.0 ± 0.9 to 3.5 ± 0.4, p = 0.035). Although without significance, subgroup analysis showed more pronounced changes in cohort A for both planar H/CL ratio and volumetric H/L ratio (-20.1 ± 12.6% and -17.1 ± 11.4%) compared to cohort B (-3.3 ± 11.2% and -4.3 ± 12.7%). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated a significant decrease in volumetric H/L ratio in hereditary ATTR-CA patients receiving RNA interference therapeutics.

Activation of PKR by a short-hairpin RNA.

Recognition of viral infection often relies on the detection of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), a process that is conserved in many different organisms. In mammals, proteins such as MDA5, RIG-I, OAS, and PKR detect viral dsRNA, but struggle to differentiate between viral and endogenous dsRNA. This study investigates an shRNA targeting DDX54's potential to activate PKR, a key player in the immune response to dsRNA. Knockdown of DDX54 by a specific shRNA induced robust PKR activation in human cells, even when DDX54 is overexpressed, suggesting an off-target mechanism. Activation of PKR by the shRNA was enhanced by knockdown of ADAR1, a dsRNA binding protein that suppresses PKR activation, indicating a dsRNA-mediated mechanism. In vitro assays confirmed direct PKR activation by the shRNA. These findings emphasize the need for rigorous controls and alternative methods to validate gene function and minimize unintended immune pathway activation.

Neuromodulation effect of temporal interference stimulation based on network computational model.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has long been the conventional method for targeting deep brain structures, but noninvasive alternatives like transcranial Temporal Interference Stimulation (tTIS) are gaining traction. Research has shown that alternating current influences brain oscillations through neural modulation. Understanding how neurons respond to the stimulus envelope, particularly considering tTIS's high-frequency carrier, is vital for elucidating its mechanism of neuronal engagement. This study aims to explore the focal effects of tTIS across varying amplitudes and modulation depths in different brain regions. An excitatory-inhibitory network using the Izhikevich neuron model was employed to investigate responses to tTIS and compare them with transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS). We utilized a multi-scale model that integrates brain tissue modeling and network computational modeling to gain insights into the neuromodulatory effects of tTIS on the human brain. By analyzing the parametric space, we delved into phase, amplitude, and frequency entrainment to elucidate how tTIS modulates endogenous alpha oscillations. Our findings highlight a significant difference in current intensity requirements between tTIS and tACS, with tTIS requiring notably higher intensity. We observed distinct network entrainment patterns, primarily due to tTIS's high-frequency component, whereas tACS exhibited harmonic entrainment that tTIS lacked. Spatial resolution analysis of tTIS, conducted via computational modeling and brain field distribution at a 13 Hz stimulation frequency, revealed modulation in deep brain areas, with minimal effects on the surface. Notably, we observed increased power within intrinsic and stimulation bands beneath the electrodes, attributed to the high stimulus signal amplitude. Additionally, Phase Locking Value (PLV) showed slight increments in non-deep areas. Our analysis indicates focal stimulation using tTIS, prompting further investigation into the necessity of high amplitudes to significantly affect deep brain regions, which warrants validation through clinical experiments.

Arthroscopic Reconstruction of Injured Anterior Cruciate Ligament Using Peroneus Longus Graft With Fixed Loop Endobutton - A Prospective Study.

Introduction: ACL injuries are more common amongst active young people where RTA and sports injuries predominate as the most common methods of injury ACL reconstruction with peroneus longus graft method have been used more frequently nowadays. The advantages of peroneus longus graft are, Adequate graft length of minimum of 25 to 30 cm. Adequate thickness of minimum 8.5 to 9mm,Less incidence of graft thinning, Lesser hamstring and quadriceps weakness, Minimal donor site morbidity. Minimal restriction of ankle movements. Materials and Methods: A prospective study of 25 patients with injured anterior cruciate ligament without meniscal injury within the age group of 18-55 years managed with arthroscopic reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament with peroneus longus graft and fixed loop endobutton at femoral side and interference screw at tibial side. Functional outcome was assessed using clinical examination, International Knee Documentation committee and Lysholm knee scoring scale, FADI score (foot and ankle disability index score). Patients were followed up at 2, 4, 8, 12weeks and 6, 8 months post-operatively. Results: This study consists of 25 cases of Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury. ACL rupture was common in second and third decade of life. In our study, 18(63.34%) were sports related injuries, 5(26.66%) were due to road traffic accidents and 2(10%) were atraumatic degenerations. 22(80%) showed excellent results and 3(20%) showed good results. Conclusions: Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using peroneus longus graft and Fixed-loop Endobutton and interference screws provided excellent post-operative clinical outcome in terms of knee stability, subjective knee and ankle function and range of movements of the knee and ankle in our study.

Simultaneous Detection of Clenbuterol and Higenamine in Urine Samples Using Interference-Free SERS Tags Combined with Magnetic Separation.

Sports doping remains a significant challenge in competitive sports. Given that urine analysis is the standard for detecting doping, developing rapid, sensitive, accurate, and high-throughput methods for stimulant detection in urine is crucial. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) tag-based immunoassays have emerged as powerful analytical tools known for their high sensitivity and specificity, holding particular promise for stimulant detection in urine samples. However, both the Raman signals of typical SERS tags and sample matrices are within the Raman fingerprint region (<1800 cm-1), which could lead to spectrum overlap, potentially reducing detection accuracy and sensitivity. By recognizing this, we designed a competitive immunoassay that integrates two types of zero-background SERS tags and magnetic separation. These innovative SERS tags exhibit distinctive Raman peaks within the Raman-silent region (1800-2800 cm-1), effectively mitigating potential spectrum overlap with background sample signals. Moreover, magnetic separation not only enhances operational simplicity but also improves the system's anti-interference capability. Using clenbuterol (CL) and higenamine (HM) as model targets, the SERS-based competitive immunoassay demonstrated sensitive detection of individual CL or HM standards, with limits of detection (LODs) of 0.87 and 0.71 pg/mL, respectively. In multiplex mode, CL and HM can be simultaneously detected with LODs of 1.0 and 0.81 pg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the recovery rates in urine samples ranged from 83 to 116% (relative standard deviation, RSD ≤ 6.4%) for CL and from 82 to 103% (RSD ≤ 5.1%) for HM, further confirming the reliability of the SERS-based immunoassay for practical applications.

Attention focused on memory: The episodic flanker effect with letters, words, colors, and pictures.

We report 10 experiments exploring the proposition that memory retrieval is perceptual attention turned inward. The experiments adapt the Eriksen and Eriksen perceptual flanker effect to a memory task in which subjects must decide whether a cued item in a probe display appeared in the same position in a memory list. Previous research with this episodic flanker task found distance and compatibility effects like those in the perceptual flanker task, suggesting that the same attentional spotlight is turned inward in memory retrieval. The previous experiments used lists of six consonants. The experiments reported here were designed to generalize the results to a broader range of conditions, from letters to words, colors, and pictures, and from set size 6 to set sizes of 4 and 5. Experiments 1-4 varied distance and set size with lists of four, five, or six letters, words, colors, and pictures, respectively. The distance effect was observed with all materials and all set sizes. Experiments 5-8 varied compatibility by presenting context items in the probe that were either the same as the memory list (and therefore compatible with "yes" responses and incompatible with "no" responses) or different from the memory list (and therefore incompatible with "yes" responses and compatible with "no" responses). We found compatibility effects with all materials and all set sizes. These results support the proposition that memory retrieval is attention turned inward. Turned inward or outward, attention is a general process that applies the same computations to different kinds of materials.

Therapeutic Suppression of Atherosclerotic Burden and Vulnerability via Dll4 Inhibition in Plaque Macrophages Using Dual-Targeted Liposomes.

Atherosclerosis, characterized by chronic inflammation within the arterial wall, remains a pivotal concern in cardiovascular health. We developed a dual-targeted liposomal system encapsulating Dll4-targeting siRNA, designed to selectively bind to pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages through surface conjugation with anti-F4/80 and anti-CD68 antibodies. The Dll4-targeting siRNA is then delivered to the macrophages, where it silences Dll4 expression, inhibiting Notch signaling and reducing plaque vulnerability. Emphasizing accuracy in targeting, the system demonstrates effective suppression of Dll4, a key modulator of atherosclerotic progression, and vulnerability via VSMCs phenotypic conversion and senescence. By employing liposomes for siRNA delivery, we observed enhanced stability and specificity of the siRNA. Alongside the therapeutic efficacy, our study also evaluated the safety profile and pharmacokinetics of the dual-targeted liposomal system, revealing favorable outcomes with minimal off-target effects and optimal biodistribution. The integration of RNA interference techniques with advanced nanotechnological methodologies signifies the importance of targeted delivery in this therapeutic approach. Preliminary findings suggest a potential attenuation in plaque development and vulnerability, indicating the therapeutic promise of this approach. This research emphasizes the potential of nanocarrier-mediated precision targeting combined with a reassuring safety and pharmacokinetic profile for advancing atherosclerosis therapeutic strategies.

Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Films: Structure Design and Prospects.

The popularity of portable and wearable flexible electronic devices, coupled with the rapid advancements in military field, requires electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials with lightweight, thin, and flexible characteristics, which are incomparable for traditional EMI shielding materials. The film materials can fulfill the above requirements, making them among the most promising EMI shielding materials for next-generation electronic devices. Meticulously controlling structure of composite film materials while optimizing the electromagnetic parameters of the constructed components can effectively dissipate and transform electromagnetic wave energy. Herein, the review systematically outlines high-performance EMI shielding composite films through structural design strategies, including homogeneous structure, layered structure, and porous structure. The attenuation mechanism of EMI shielding materials and the evaluation (Schelkunoff theory and calculation theory) of EMI shielding performance are introduced in detail. Moreover, the effect of structure attributes and electromagnetic properties of composite films on the EMI shielding performance is analyzed, while summarizing design criteria and elucidating the relevant EMI shielding mechanism. Finally, the future challenges and potential application prospects of EMI shielding composite films are prospected. This review provides crucial guidance for the construction of advanced EMI shielding films tailored for highly customized and personalized electronic devices in the future.

Peptide-coated DNA nanostructures as a platform for control of lysosomal function in cells.

DNA nanotechnology is a rapidly growing field that provides exciting tools for biomedical applications. Targeting lysosomal functions with nanomaterials, such as DNA nanostructures (DNs), represents a rational and systematic way to control cell functionality. Here we present a versatile DNA nanostructure-based platform that can modulate a number of cellular functions depending on the concentration and surface decoration of the nanostructure. Utilizing different peptides for surface functionalization of DNs, we were able to rationally modulate lysosomal activity, which in turn translated into the control of cellular function, ranging from changes in cell morphology to modulation of immune signaling and cell death. Low concentrations of decalysine peptide-coated DNs induced lysosomal acidification, altering the metabolic activity of susceptible cells. In contrast, DNs coated with an aurein-bearing peptide promoted lysosomal alkalization, triggering STING activation. High concentrations of decalysine peptide-coated DNs caused lysosomal swelling, loss of cell-cell contacts, and morphological changes without inducing cell death. Conversely, high concentrations of aurein-coated DNs led to lysosomal rupture and mitochondrial damage, resulting in significant cytotoxicity. Our study holds promise for the rational design of a new generation of versatile DNA-based nanoplatforms that can be used in various biomedical applications, like the development of combinatorial anti-cancer platforms, efficient systems for endolysosomal escape, and nanoplatforms modulating lysosomal pH.

Distortion of overlapping memories relates to arousal and anxiety.

Everyday experiences often overlap, challenging our ability to maintain distinct episodic memories. One way to resolve such interference is by exaggerating subtle differences between remembered events, a phenomenon known as memory repulsion. Here, we tested whether repulsion is influenced by emotional arousal, when resolving memory interference is perhaps most needed. We adapted an existing paradigm in which participants repeatedly studied object-face associations. Participants studied two different-colored versions of each object: a to-be-tested "target" and its not-to-be-tested "competitor" pair mate. The level of interference between target and competitor pair mates was manipulated by making the object colors either highly similar or less similar, depending on the participant group. To manipulate arousal, the competitor object-face associations were preceded by either a neutral tone or an aversive and arousing burst of white noise. Memory distortion for the color of the target objects was tested after each study round to examine whether memory distortions emerge after learning. We found that participants with greater sound-induced pupil dilations, an index of physiological arousal, showed greater memory attraction of target colors towards highly similar competitor colors. Greater memory attraction was also correlated with greater memory interference in the last round of learning. Additionally, individuals who self-reported higher trait anxiety showed greater memory attraction when one of the overlapping memories was associated with something aversive. Our findings suggest that memories of similar neutral and arousing events may blur together after repeated exposures, especially in individuals who show higher arousal responses and symptoms of anxiety.

Is India on a path to reduce the tobacco industry's influence in tobacco control? Insights from the Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index (2019-2023).

Introduction: The tobacco industry (TI), driven by profit motives, consistently conceals health risks through deceptive strategies, notably in countries like India. These tactics create vulnerabilities that hinder effective tobacco control measures and enable the TI to exploit legal gaps. Understanding these TI strategies is essential for policymakers to take appropriate preventive and corrective measures in order to limit tobacco industry interference (TII) in policy-making. The study aims at understanding the trend of TII in India between 2019 and 2023. Methodology: The secondary data from the Global Tobacco Industry Interference report, consisting of seven major domains of the TII index, viz. policy participation, corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, industry benefits, unnecessary interaction, transparency, conflict of interest, and preventive measures, were retrieved. A composite score was obtained after adding scores of different domains, for each year. Results: The findings of the study demonstrated an initial improvement in India's implementation of WHO FCTC Article 5.3, as evidenced by a decreasing score between 2019 and 2021. However, this trend halted in 2023, with data showing a slight increase in the score. When compared with other Asian countries, India shows marginal improvement in score than Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand, and South Korea. Some of the countries in the region, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Brunei, China, and Vietnam experienced a decline in TII. Discussion: There has been a rise in CSR activities, forms of unnecessary interactions of TII with policymakers, and participation in policy development; however, improvements are observed in providing benefits to the TI, conflict of interest, and preventive measures. In order to fortify the regulatory framework, it is imperative to create awareness among stakeholders on conflict of interest, denormalize corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives by the TI, provision of a watchdog for TII in the country and "whole of government" approach in implementation of FCTC Article 5.3.

Radiofrequency interference in magnetic resonance imaging: Identification and rectification.

Radiofrequency (RF) interference artifact is a common type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) artifacts caused by the presence of unwanted RF field inside the scanner room. The artifact has the appearance of parallel bright lines or bands that resemble zippers, which can mimic pathology, obstruct the viewing of underlining tissues, and lower image signal-to-noise ratio, affecting the diagnostic evaluation of the image and sometimes even rendering it non-diagnostic. Due to the presence of multiple possible sources of RF interference in MRI and potential nonrelated MRI artifacts that resemble RF interference artifact, it may be difficult to effectively and timely resolve the artifact problem. The objective of this paper is to provide a review of RF interference in MRI and to offer guidance in the prompt and correct identification of the associated image artifacts as well as efficient approaches to resolve and prevent RF interference problems. This article should serve as a useful educational reference to magnetic resonance (MR) technologists and radiologists in dealing with MR image artifacts that may be caused by RF interference.